GP PRE – Supplement Education – Citrulline Malate

There are a lot of scientific studies, in depth articles and reviews on supplements available at the ease of any search engine. Let’s get real though, who has time to read all of them and decipher what it means for your supplements? We’ve put together a simplified, yet informative overview of the ingredients in GP Pre so that you as a consumer can better understand what it is, why it’s there, and how it will benefit you.

What is Citrulline Malate?

L-Citrulline with Malic acid added to it.

L-Citrulline is an amino acid used in the Urea cycle. It can be naturally derived from watermelon extract.

Malic Acid was first isolated from apple juice. It is an organic compound produced by all living things. It’s main role is as an intermediate in the Krebs cycle.

Basically, watermelon and apples. Just because we’re using the scientific name for these compounds doesn’t mean that it’s anything abnormal or dangerous. Nature intended us to eat these things for a reason!

What are the benefits?

There are multiple benefits to supplementation of Citrulline Malate. Some of those benefits even extend into a more clinical application. For today we’re going to focus on the major benefits for exercise and further explain how these benefits are manifested in the body.

Improved Endurance

Cardiovascular Health

Reduced Fatigue

Improved Recovery

Increased Nitric Oxide Production

How does it work?

Increased Nitric Oxide Production

Citrulline is converted to arginine in the kidneys. Arginine is then converted into Nitric Oxide. NO is a cell signaling molecule that helps to regulate blood flow, oxygen delivery, glucose uptake and muscular growth. Supplemental L-Arginine provides a spike in the plasma while supplemental L-Citrulline increases arginine plasma levels over a longer period of time. This is why it is better to supplement with Citrulline as opposed to Arginine.

Reduced Fatigue and Improved Recovery

As a part of the Urea cycle Citrulline aids in the removal of toxic ammonia from the body. An excess of ammonia not only increases fatigue but in large enough does may be fatal. Below is a visual to help understand how the body uses Citrulline to filter ammonia out of the system. It’s not necessary to understand the intricacies of the Urea cycle, just understand that Citrulline is an important step in the process to eliminate waste from the body. When waste is eliminated the body feels less fatigue and can properly recover.

Improved Endurance and Cardiovascular Health

The supplement Citrulline Malate increases ATP production by enhancing creatine phosphate regeneration. When creatine phosphate is regenerating quickly the body can make more ATP to power our muscles. This is where a large portion of our anaerobic energy comes from.

Citrulline Malate also helps to supply our aerobic energy. The “Malate” part is responsible for additional energy production by supplying the Krebs Cycle (aerobic energy powerhouse). While Citrulline acts to increase Nitric Oxide, malate facilitates the recycling of lactate and pyruvate. This is an essential part in the Krebs cycle to supply instant and prolonged energy.

How to use it?

Take 6000mg about 1 hour before exercise. Does NOT need to be taken with food but it can be if desired.

There are several supplements on the market that can be taken at any time of the day. Citrulline Malate is a part of our PRE workout supplement for the very reason of enhancing your performance in your workout. Increased Nitric Oxide and decreased muscular fatigue don’t really do much good if you’re just heading to work, unless your job requires physical labor. In that case, GP Pre could be a great start to your work day!

Why use it?

Honestly, why not? There have been no observed side effects of Citrulline Malate supplements and there is overwhelming evidence to support the claims of its benefits. If you are looking for improved endurance, cardiovascular health, quicker recovery, and reduced muscular fatigue than Citrulline Malate can only help you. We’ve included this in our GP Pre as only PART of a truly complete pre workout supplement. This could very well be that new deadlift PR or help cut off a few seconds on your best mile run. From anaerobic to aerobic activity, Citrulline Malate has your back!